Types of Requirements
The SLSDC procures various types of lock operating equipment, navigation aids, maintenance parts and materials. Other procurements include construction, professional services, and studies.

Acquisition activities are governed by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) (Chapter 1 of Title 48, Code of Federal Regulations), and as supplemented by the Transportation Acquisition Regulation (TAR).

Publicizing Contract Actions
For purchases over $25,000, pre-solicitation notices are posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website at www.FedBizOpps.gov. Other procurement documents, such as solicitations, amendments, and contract awards are also posted and available for downloading from this website. Vendors can search databases containing information from many federal agencies and can also register to receive e-mail notifications of requirements sorted by selected organizations and product service classifications, or by solicitation number.

Required Sources
As required by the FAR, agencies shall satisfy requirements for supplies from the required sources as listed in the order below:

Agency inventories

Excess from other agencies

Federal Prison Industries, Inc.

Products Available from the Committee for Purchase From People Who are Blind or Severely Disabled

Wholesale supply sources, such as the General Services Administration (GSA)

Federal Supply Schedules

Commercial sources

Requirements for services shall be satisfied from the required sources as listed in the order below:

Services Available from the Committee for Purchase From People Who are Blind or Severely Disabled

Negotiated Procurement - includes the receipt of proposals from offerors, permits bargaining, and usually affords offerors an opportunity to revise their offers before award of a contract.

Simplified Acquisition - used for purchases of supplies or services not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold ($100,000), and for acquisition of commercial items exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold but not exceeding $5,000,000. Quotations are solicited from responsible offerors.

Preferential Contracting Programs
Preferential contracting was first authorized by the Small Business Act of 1953, which set up the Small Business Administration (SBA) to aid and counsel small businesses and to ensure that small firms receive a fair share of Government contracts.

Total Set-Asides - acquisitions of supplies or services that have an anticipated dollar value exceeding $2,500, but not over $100,000 are automatically reserved exclusively for small business concerns unless the Contracting Officer determines there is no reasonable expectation of obtaining offers from two or more responsible, small business concerns that are competitive in terms of market prices, quality, and delivery.

Partial Set-Asides - a portion of an acquisition, except for construction, is set aside for exclusive small business participation.

8(a) Program - authorized the SBA to contract for goods and services with Federal agencies. SBA then subcontracts actual performance of the work to socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses, which have been certified by SBA as eligible to receive these contracts.

HUBZone Empowerment Contracting Program - this program provides federal contracting opportunities for qualified small businesses located in distressed areas. SBA certifies firms for eligibility to receive HUBZone contracts and maintains a listing of qualified HUBZone small businesses that federal agencies can use to locate prospective vendors.

Service disabled veteran-owned small business procurement program (SDVOB) - the purpose of the program is to provide federal contracting assistance to service disabled veteran-owned small business. A SDVOB is at least 51% owned and controlled by a veteran with a service connected disability.

Small Business Competitiveness Demonstration Program - the purpose of this program is to assess the ability of small businesses to compete successfully in certain industry categories without competition being restricted by the use of small business set-asides. The five (5) designated industry groups are: Construction (except dredging); Non-nuclear Ship Repair; Architectural and Engineering Services; Refuse Systems and Related Services; and Landscaping and Pest Control Services.

Governmentwide Commercial Purchase Card
The Governmentwide commercial purchase card is authorized for use in making and/or paying for purchases of supplies, services, or construction. Agency procedures encourage the use of the purchase card.

DOT's Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)
OSDBU's role includes a wide range of responsibilities and programs that are directed at ensuring small, women-owned and small disadvantaged business participate in the Department's direct procurement and Federal financial assistance programs. OSDBU is committed to ensuring that all small businesses, including women-owned and disadvantaged firms, have an equitable opportunity to participate in DOT's procurement programs. OSBDU provides financial services to the small disadvantaged business community through its Short Term Lending Program (STLP) and Bonding Assistance Program (BAP). You can contact the DOT OSDBU as follows:

Central Contractor Registration (CCR)
CCR is the primary vendor database for the U.S. Federal Government. Both current and potential government vendors are required to register in the CCR in order to be awarded contracts by the federal government. Access the CCR on-line registration through the SAM homepage at www.sam.gov.